Now that the year is into full swing - how are you in the goals that you have set? Setting goals is more than just putting your plan on paper - the path of translating your goals from intention to implementation is fraught with five dangers. Discover these dangers and your path to authentic success will be so much the clearer!Click Here (if the audio player below does not appear) to listen to a 19-minute radio interview on BFM89.9 on this all-important personal topic!

AVAILABILITY is defined as "making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve". "The measure of a man is not in the number of his servants but in the number of people whom he serves." (Paul Moody). The interesting thing about success is this - the one who is ready to lead is the one who was first ready to serve. Here's the principle: As you serve, you are developing the right state of character so that when the riches and blessings come, you will not be proud and conceited. Makes sense?

WISDOM is defined as "seeing and responding to life situations from a perspective that transcends my current circumstances." How does one get the big picture of life and learn to respond to challenges (instead of reacting)? It lies in your ability to receive advice and instruction. A middle-eastern proverb says - "Rebuke a wise man and he will be wiser still." How true!Click here to listen to a 23 min radio interview on BFM89.9 on the subject of AVAILABILITY and WISDOM.

To discipline someone is to disciple that someone. It is about bringing someone to a way of life that has been proven and tested. Often, the word consequence comes to mind when we talk about the subject of discipline - bringing with it a punitive element. Sure, we may bring the child into compliance through consequence but have we communicated clearly enough so that the child is not left interpreting our instructions to his own convenience? One sign of incomplete communication is - constant nagging. If you find yourself nagging your child regularly, it is time to take stock of your Communication-Consistency-Quotient (CCQ) :

I do not need to repeat my instruction. First time obedience is what I get.

I do not end my instruction with "OK?". Doing this means I need permission for compliance!

I say what I mean. I actually carry out what I said I would do because I am willing to put up with short-term childish displeasure for long-term adult responsibility.

I do not believe in reasoning for change. The child is fundamentally selfish. Action speaks louder.

My child pays more attention to me than I to him.

How is your score? If you say "No" to any of the above, then you may be in danger of raising a child-centered family (as opposed to a parent-centered family). Listen to a 2-part BFM interview on this lively topic of discipline. If the audio player does not appear below, click here for Part 1 and click here for Part 2.

This is the first in a four-part series which I am doing in radio BFM89.9 in their "Raise Your Game" session. The theme is "Stressful Employees in Successful Companies". Many companies have successful brands and heritage but when it comes to day-to-day leadership behavior, there is often a disconnect.

Listen to the radio interview to discover what are the five ordinary reasons why corporate values fail. Alternatively, you can download this special report. Click Here for the interview if the audio player below does not appear.

AlertnessDefinition - "Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses". If you desire to be remembered as someone who goes the extra mile, this is one quality you must have!

ResponsibilityDefinition - "Knowing and doing what is expected of me". Success is not the effort of the "lone ranger" - rather someone who is accountable to others and refuses to play the blame game.

Click Here (if the audio player below does not appear) for a radio interview session at BRM89.9 on Alertness & Responsibility - otherwise press the audio play button below.

AttentivenessDefinition - "showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration." Practicing attentiveness communicates worth to the people we interact with. Modern gadgets can never replace an attentive conversation!

InitiativeDefinition - "recognizing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it." The one quality which makes you stand out in a crowd is initiative. Ironically, it is when you are willing to work beyond your job scope that you become more valuable to the organization. Learn to mind beyond your own business!

Click Here (if the audio player below does not appear) for a radio interview session at BFM89.9 - otherwise, press the play button below.

Dr.Bob Jones remarked - "you can borrow brains but you cannot borrow character". While intelligence is an important distinctive, without a stable moral compass, that intelligence can be thwarted for selfish gains. Similarly, emotional sensitivity enhances a person's persuasiveness but without right principles, emotions can be manipulated as well.

Character is defined as "the qualities built into an individual's life that determine his or her response, regardless of circumstances". Think about the time when you have to fire someone or the situation when you promote someone - both situations are determined by the person's character. Competency is secondary.

Click here (if the audio player below does not appear) for a radio interview session at BFM89.9 - otherwise, press the play button below.